<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Olsten
Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheet at September, 29
1996 (unaudited) and Olsten Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated
Statement of Income for nine months ended September 29, 1996 (unaudited) and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                      SEP-29-1996
<CASH>                                                121,152
<SECURITIES>                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                         633,626
<ALLOWANCES>                                           18,017
<INVENTORY>                                            47,476
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      839,985
<PP&E>                                                220,511
<DEPRECIATION>                                         94,286
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      1,382,358
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 243,671
<BONDS>                                                     0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                7,939
<OTHER-SE>                                            730,171
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        1,382,358
<SALES>                                             2,446,755
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    2,446,755
<CGS>                                               1,731,678
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       1,731,678
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                       80,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       14,913
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     16,192
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        66,704
<INCOME-TAX>                                           27,615
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    38,092
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           38,092
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             .49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             .49